Would Someone Teach Them How to Drive?

As I was driving around the Provo/Orem area this afternoon, I was quite displeased with what I saw.  The people who drive around here are some of the worst drivers I have ever seen (worse, even, than some that I encountered in California!).  There's a good reason that Utah County has a reputation, locally and nationally, for being home to the worst motor vehicle operators.

You want to make our roads safer?  You want fewer car accidents?  You want to rid yourself of the road rage that you feel while you're driving?  Let me give you a few tips that will help make driving easier, safer, and more enjoyable.

Tip #1 - Pay attention to what you're doing.

This really makes no sense when you're not even going very far to begin with.  It surprises me how utterly oblivious people are to other cars/drivers.  That's why they invented rear and side-view mirrors.  It also helps to actually look at what's going on around you!

I was driving behind a couple of dudes today who were more interested in pointing out every little store on each side of the road instead of where they were going or what they were doing.  I think it would have been more fun to watch them run into something than to follow them for as long as I had to. . .

Tip #2 - GET OFF THE PHONE!

I don't know what everyone's fascination is with talking on the phone and TEXTING while driving!  It's next to impossible to focus on what's going on on the road if you're consumed by the dramatic sob story that your BFF  is making a feeble attempt to explain to you.  So, to the lady driving down State Street at 3:45 this afternoon: hang up the phone because it will make it A LOT easier to stay in your lane!  And you're less likely to kill someone on the road.

Tip #3 - Go the speed limit.

You can agree with me before I even explain this one.  Go ahead, say, "Yes, Matt.  No one knows how to go the speed limit."  People speed, yes.  But what's worse is people who go too slow.

I'm generally pretty good about not being in a hurry to get somewhere.  I think it's just part of my personality.  "Matt in a hurry = snail at a leisurely pace."  So I may not be in a hurry to get somewhere, but I just want to get there!  Camping out in the far left lane is stupid anyway, but going 10-under when you're in the left lane is more stupid than I can describe.  You think it's dangerous when that one guy whizzes past you at 90+.  What about the guy going 35 mph in a 50 mph zone?  Don't think that's dangerous?  Just look to see how quickly you gain on those red taillights.  You'll agree with me then.

Tip #4 - Stop when the light is RED.  Go when the light is GREEN.

It's simple.  Even for those of us who are colorblind.  If you can reasonably stop at a red light, then stop.  When the light turns green, MOVE.

See?  Simple.  A 1st-grader could tell you that.

Tip #5 - Live with your mistakes.

If you miss a turn, don't make a wild turn to try to get where you were supposed to go.  Just keep going.  Turn around when it's safer, and then find your turn.  Also, when you forget that you were supposed to get into a turn lane, don't try to squeeze into it while sticking across 2 lanes of traffic.  It's totally unnecessary.

Tip #6 - 

(This is more of an observation than a tip)

Male drivers do stupid stuff.  Female drivers just don't know what they're doing.

Male drivers: Put your hands back in the car, quit trying to impress your girlfriend, and start using your brain.  You won't think you're so cool when you're dead.

Female drivers: Just tone down the estrogen.  Figure out where you're going and what speed you should be going on the road.  Oh, and drive a car where you can actually see over the steering wheel.

I'm sure that this applies to more places than just Utah County.  But Utah County seems to beat them all.